History Of The Fender Stratocaster | Chicago Music Exchange Vintage

Shelby walks us through five different iterations of the Fender Stratocaster. Listen and learn the history starting with a 1954 through 1965. Dive into the details, changes, and technicalities with us. Knowledge is power!
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The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuously manufactured the Stratocaster from 1954 to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top "horn" shape for balance. Along with the Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG and Fender Telecaster, it is one of the most-often emulated electric guitar shapes. "Stratocaster" and "Strat" are trademark terms belonging to Fender. Guitars that duplicate the Stratocaster by other manufacturers are sometimes called S-Type or ST-type guitars.
The guitar introduced into the popular market several features that were innovative for electric guitars in the mid 1950s. The distinctive body shape, which has become commonplace among electric guitars, was revolutionary for the time period, and for the first time a mass-market electric guitar did not significantly resemble earlier acoustic models. The offset waist, double cutaway, elongated horns, and heavily contoured back were all designed for better balance and comfort to play while standing up and slung off the shoulder with a strap. The three-pickup design offered players increased versatility and choice in tone quality over earlier one- and two-pickup electric guitars, and a responsive and simplified vibrato arm integrated into the bridge plate, which marked a significant design improvement over other vibrato systems, such as those manufactured by Bigsby. All of these design elements were popularized and later became an industry standard due to the success of the Stratocaster.
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More Gear History!
HISTORY OF THE JAZZMASTER - • History of the Fender ...
HISTORY OF THE FENDER JAZZ BASS - • History of the Fender ...
Gear Used:
1954 Fender Stratocaster
1957 Fender Stratocaster
1960 Three Tone Sunburst
1964 Fender Stratocaster Candy Apple Red
1965 Fender Stratocaster Three Tone Sunburst
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#GuitarHistory #FenderStratocaster #ChicagoMusicExchange #Fender #VintageGuitars
00:00 Intro
00:35 Comparing Early Fender Stratocasters
01:48 1954 Fender Stratocaster
02:41 Playing Demo - '54 Stratocaster
03:22 1957 Fender Stratocaster
04:02 Playing Demo - '57 Stratocaster
04:24 1960 Fender Stratocaster Three Tone Sunburst
05:04 Playing Demo - '60 Stratocaster
05:41 1964 Fender Stratocaster Candy Apple Red
06:49 Playing Demo - '64 Stratocaster
07:19 1965 Fender Stratocaster Three Tone Sunburst
08:08 Playing Demo / Outro - '65 Stratocaster

[@zk560]

I bought a player strat a few months back and I love it. It's been what I've been looking for a guitar ever since I started playing. It sounds great, has an iconic look, and it's pretty reliable as well. If anyone is getting a guitar under 800, you should consider the strat.

[@emmanuellehuu8818]

Next, you should do the telecaster history. Cheers guys :)

[@deepandjon]

Thank me later kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZm6eWh7pJ6KZs0

[@danielmaxson3530]

The only time I've ever heard "unfortunately we don't have it in sunburst, only a custom color."

[@Shelbs1028]

Daniel Maxson hahah good point.

[@craigusselman546]

Leo Fender in 1954 Ok would you like a sunburst Stratocaster or a sunburst,sunburst one or our Stratocaster triple sunburst with extra sunburst.. or how about our various adorable Telecasters in various blond shades with black pickguards.

[@caiusmadison2996]

Custom colors are where it is at for sure.

[@jordanbrazinski8260]

There's some black magic going on in that '54 neck pickup.

[@Fiendocaster]

Had an albatross vibe going on. Beautiful

[@aepoc66]

You're not lyin'. And it's OH SO GOOD!

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

That magic is alnico 3.

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

I agree the alnico 3 formvar wire strat pickups sound beautiful almost magical. The poles were also slightly larger diameter. They are really a treat to play. The neck pickup especially. This is what the Eric Johnson neck and middle pickups are and the bridge is alnico 5 for more power. I have these and they are really nice. I know they aren't as good as the vintage 54 pickups but they do have nice tone and are similar in terms of tone and build spec.

[@RDiDonato777]

Please do more videos like this, and don't rush through them, this video could have been an hour long and I would have been hooked. Thank you for doing this!

[@brich2929]

Ron is right- the History videos- you can take your time with. I'd liked to have seen more on those Jazzmasters with the painted headstocks you guys did last year.

[@cashgardner4425]

The greatest guitar model ever conceived. Pure magic.

[@1luckycat]

It's just awesome you guys take the time to do these kinds of videos. That was freakin awesome! Most of us will never have the chance to see such iconic guitars in the same place at the same time.

[@wesmatron]

Simply for having the guts to take those apart, I salute you.

[@pedropoyares2967]

i don't know why, but since I was a kid I've always thought the big headstock was older than the small one, because everything, the logos and the tuners seems so classic for me. The small headstock with the spaghetti fender logo and rounded tuners looks more modern for my taste. When I found out the 54 strat was the first one Leo Fender ever made and its headstock was the small one, It really was a suprise. I think those small ones looks pretty "shy and too correct". The big ones looks more "rebel and agressive" and I really like that bullet at the end of the thust rod.

[@musikus7092]

Same here. I grew up with the big headstocks and I like it better

[@FarrahnsMom]

The 1960 Fender Strat is imo the perfect solid body guitar....

[@andrefranco6814]

Great video, nice way to show the difference of the main pre cbs years. Great simple and melodic playing that matches the vintage vibe of these great guitars!

[@hhscadets0925]

Wow! 64 Fender Stratocaster in classic white with triple single-coil pickups and whammy bar!

[@TroubadourJuggernaut]

wow the tune / riffs at 2:40, simply perfect sound ....

[@chicagomusicexchange]

THANKS FOR WATCHING!! SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE!!

[@BrettKingman]

That was cool, Shelby. Thanks!

[@GordonTillmanTexas]

Very informative. Thank you Shelby.

[@russthomas1887]

That '54 sounds amazing

[@maxmilliken7857]

Shelby always sounds incredible

[@telecasper]

Awesome video to show the main differences between those killer guitars!

[@ValleysOfSaturn]

What a beautiful video!!! Many thanks!!

[@carlitobrigante330]

I recently bought an American Professional in 3-tone sunburst but love that it has the some of the aesthetics of the 1960 strat featured in the video (e.g. mint-green 3-ply pickguard, aged white plastic knobs and pickup covers).

[@tonebreakfast]

so beautiful tone man!!, 3:00 almost brings tears to my eyes

[@MemoUlloah]

GREAT video! Thanks guys :)

[@liorauf]

Awesome video!!! Thanks CME

[@Ironworthstriking]

This is how I play when I'm stoned with my friends and they want to play guitar and "see what happens"

[@shnarfers]

he is adding his own distressing w his ring what a great guy really cares about such an old piece he is special so he can use a ring to add his own touch of wear.

[@RenardeauGuy]

Hey guy's well done. This is a really good video that shows the history of the fender.

[@marlonmoneda12]

Definitely should have done a direct back-to-back comparison of all these guitars, I'm talking after the introduction and background of each guitar, back-to-back direct clips of each guitar of the same lick at the same guitar settings...

[@ThorneyedWT]

Somebody toucha my spaghet logo!

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

Lol

[@buddyollie180]

Beautiful guitars!! All of them! Screams Buddy, Clappers and Rory!

[@philodonoghue3062]

Rory on!

[@dickati]

Thanks. Great presentation.

[@chicagomusicexchange]

You are welcome!

[@chrissullins3]

God willing may all these guitars become 100 year old antiques in our lifetimes. Until then keep playing.

[@craigusselman546]

They most likely will they are special.

[@berntedvinsson5397]

the L was not an accident, when Leo made 100,000 guitars, Instead of adding another digit on to his 5-digit ID numbers, Leo decided to add an “L” for his first initial in front of the serial numbers and start the sequence all over again ;)

[@paul_domici]

I love all of these strats!!! And would love to own a vintage one someday but every strat sounds the same to me! My MIM strat is the best guitar I have and I have plenty of MIA guitars

[@davidkastin4240]

Really. They all sound the same to you? I have 14 Strats and no 2 sound the same. Different years, pickups, pots and type of wood makes up the special sound you can't get from other guitars

[@davidguzman8484]

very interesting video👍👍👍👍

[@ArtyShat]

Let's be real, even a Classic Vibe Squier will sound great on that amp and mic!

[@bce3210]

Classic vibe squiers are actually just really well made guitars.

[@Nightshade1881]

They should have kept the tadeo taper on the head stocks!! My 1989 MIJ strat has the rounded headstock edges and it's sooo damn beautiful

[@AlbertoMartinezDelRio]

Excellent!

[@miguelrosa6246]

The beginning riff sound like that very loud guitar player at guitar stores

[@stevieklaer9347]

I love this channel. You should do a comparison of Tube vs Solid State amplifiers.

[@ankerguitar]

im a les paul guy but this video made me just buy a strat ! fuckin great guitar love it

[@ilostmymind47]

Beautiful guitars

[@ireneruthfox]

Call the 1954 Neo, because it is " The One "

[@joelvick3243]

Holy crap this is awesome

[@moimeme7839]

Great tone👍

[@darwinsaye]

Excellent video. And I understand having to draw a line somewhere, but it would have been cool to see you cover the CBS era too. I know about the quality cutbacks, but honestly, they were still well made USA instruments by most standards, were played by many notable players, and are now fetching very high prices despite the fact that everyone claims to hate them, haha.

[@anthonykueber6098]

Too cool! More detail on the electronics, please?

[@christianboddum8783]

period correct playing - cool!

[@Seventysongs]

Shelby Pollard, I thank you for your understanding and kindness and for me not to feel so ashamed, I deleted my stupid comment. On the guitars, I loved the neck pickup tone of the 1964 model, in particular. Good work, my friend. All the best!

[@toneyisaiah408]

He used to record the debut album Black Sabbath.

[@toneyisaiah408]

He completely trashed it when one of pickups gave out.

[@erikdanerd4176]

Man who ever wound that 54 set was on point that day.

[@Tonetwisters]

Most likely, the woman!

[@anthonygonzalez4888]

very good

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

Feature you neglected to mention on the '64-- it comes equipped w/an out-of-tune G-string...

[@Shelbs1028]

Jah Rastafari oh man, we did forget that! Whoops

[@juliclark9681]

Jah Rastafari, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

I don’t think I’ve played a guitar WITHOUT a wonky G haha! It would shock me to experience a proper one.

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

BigBrain Time It’s probably due to having an accurate ear for tuning. Standard tuning is not technically perfect sounding to the ear. That’s why some artists tune their G and B strings differently. Thanks for your sarcastic contribution, but I’m afraid to say, it’s statistically unlikely that I would even own a guitar under $100. My guitars were all in the $1000-$2000 range.

[@mrjamesgrimes]

What ever he as doing for the first 30 seconds was really annoying

[@bobs.stevenson9704]

especially the one really loud note that hurt my ears every 8th note or whatever it was

[@michaelmace924]

I totally agree, sounded like crap.

[@pavanatanaya]

Hipster wet dreams

[@sadiehallinger1401]

It's hipster stuff.. I guess.

[@planej6315]

@@moimeme7839 That is correct but what was really throwing off is the fact that his timing in the first 30 seconds was kinda fluctuating

[@americanpatriot646]

I love that 54' with the hard tail wish they made more hard tails.

[@davidkastin4240]

Looking for a lefty hardtail. Scarce but available but $$$

[@AllSpace]

another one of these drooling vintage start series yep just give me the money any day

[@e.d.45]

Elvis is alive!

[@danielspolendo]

The ‘64🎧😍

[@rafasounds2010]

Yesterday I looked for this video like crazy and it had just vanished, I even watched a p-bass demo

[@AI3JeWelz]

tremowlow

[@drdbailey]

Nice look at the differences. Good to know. Btw, you guys must know Davy Knowles. He once had a Daphne Blue Strat. He now has a 66 Tele. Perhaps do a Tele piece as well. Cheers

[@Normac1994]

Holy sh*t that 54 sounds fu**ing amazing

[@curtis5979]

God I love the ‘64 logo

[@nothanks1066]

omg this video is incredible

[@floracane]

I wonder whether such a disassembling (taking neck and body apart) impacts on sound characteristics of vintage guitars.

[@carlosdeno]

Great video, no mention of fret size, any difference between the years?

[@Billywagner22]

Hopefully you will do a History of the Telecaster too.

[@henrikfevre2109]

Fantastic video. I still don’t get why in general 1965 is referred to as pre-cbs. The only day they made pre-cbs guitars in ‘65 was January 4. By the next day they were taken over by cbs. And, about the transition logo; it’s said in The Fender chronicles that the only reason it’s on some ‘64 stratocasters is because the guitars with these on were assembled after cbs took over - from ‘64 parts that is. Leo Fender didn’t like that logo on the stratocaster.

[@jeffstephens5266]

Tre Mow Low ?

[@lilstinker1949]

he loves the tre mow low on the jagwire guitar

[@guitarmedia9171]

Is that the new way to say it? Or the old way?

[@ToniLCD]

The old way 'TREM-ellow'...

[@craigusselman546]

Jimi whammy bar UK =Eric Clapton/ UK wang bar hee hee or that thing that makes your guitar go go-yoy-oiing.

[@robg4764]

Vibrato though, isn’t it.

[@kortwoycheshin4191]

I noticed not in this video but in others you guys have used sm57s. You should do a video on how to use one to Ty's maximum potential because mine sounds no where near as good

[@MattyRude910]

good preamps

[@GuitarExpress]

Awesome video, I wish they talked more about the radius difference between the years though

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

7.25” for the first dozen or so years. Then 9.5” for everything thereafter, aside from the odd exception. That’s kinda all there is to it.

[@GuitarExpress]

@@SeemsLikeSomething Thank you!

[@marchel9322]

@@SeemsLikeSomething that’s not correct. In the early days Fender radius wasn’t very consistent . There are many examples of 50’s strats with a 9.5” or other radius.

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

Marchel Haven’t seen all that many tbh. I’m pretty sure 7 1/4 was kind of a fender-wide standard for a while at the start. I’m definitely willing to be wrong about it though. When an instrument is “vintage” in spec, it almost always has the sharper radius, unless it’s a modified, haven’t taken noticed that also?

[@mstringer90]

are guys going to do a gibson les paul history video??

[@Kr3wIpath606]

Great vid guys I'd kill for a vintage strat and off topic question what kind of pomade is that in your hair

[@rdk2323]

Rick Weimann Dapper Dan

[@mitchwrench239]

brylcream

[@hunterfagan6272]

didnt this video come out a couple days ago?

[@RandomJammer]

TupolevPilot looks the same to me!

[@hunterfagan6272]

RandomJammer i think the only difference is that it says "pre cbs" in the title. i did comment, saying what about cbs strats tho.

[@RandomJammer]

TupolevPilot I'd say you maybe prompted the 'pre cbs' clarification

[@RandomJammer]

chicagomusicexchange awesome

[@hunterfagan6272]

chicagomusicexchange o

[@Tonetwisters]

My very first guitar was a 1954. My second guitar was a 1964. That '54 sounds incredible.

[@robmaddison8645]

Are you 84 tonetwistor

[@Tonetwisters]

@@robmaddison8645 NO, Sir. Been at it for 59 years, though ...

[@paulanalco5037]

More time and detail in each guitar please !!! And compare!!

[@khills242]

I love my strat!

[@toneyisaiah408]

Tony Iommi owned a left handed Stratocaster Before he purchased a Gibson SG.

[@rogeriosartori555]

my preciousssssessss!

[@bevernekydr.4478]

so which one is the best for someone with small hands?

[@Blinki18284]

Like a Rolling Stone!!! :)

[@TREVORJB101]

I'm willing to bet that 1960 Strat had a nice red color in the sunburst, but faded away over time and exposure to sunlight. I think Fender changed the type of red tiny sometime in the 60's to prevent fading.

[@stiglistanbul]

YOU'RE MAKING ONE FOR THE TELE, RIGHT!?

[@Thejayfrancis]

Damn, what a cool opportunity to be able to play all of these. Cool vid. Didn't know the bit about the revamped logo. I thought it was a CBS change.

[@craigusselman546]

Yeah keep my collection and get a Duo which I here are pretty snazzy for student guitars.

[@vincedipietro6685]

How about post-CBS era? Any possibility of such? Knowledge is power indeed!

[@peterdanner2336]

Seems like he dialed in a beautiful tone for the 54 and blah tones for the others. Was weird. Wow though, to be in a room with those things

[@williampollard8347]

Hey Shelby, thanx 4 all the info. I have a question about V stamped neck before #,s. Also was it practice 2 spray over basic paint (aqua under black)? R u from Christian County? Peace

[@Julius_Seizure]

Please do CBS Strats as well!

[@aidanstorey6205]

Idk if it's just me, but at 0:56 it just kills me to see vintahe guitars opend like that. They go back together and still work but I just hate it

[@amritjanardhanan]

It’s just you buddy. They need to verify everything, and as long as nothing is damaged it’s completel6 fine, even to collectors.

[@aidanstorey6205]

@@amritjanardhanan fuck u

[@SwingCritic141]

aidan storey put that pacifier back in, little boy.

[@aidanstorey6205]

@@SwingCritic141 take it out of ur ass first

[@danielsgrunge]

Well... Guitars are like cars, they end up needing maintenance anyways, I bet these guitars have been taken apart a thousand times already

[@thestig8064]

i have a 77' Strat :)

[@ix-Xafra]

Not sure I'd brag about that...

[@bnilo]

Nice video...but no need for the background playing

[@glennevans5824]

Why he didn’t mention the pickguard material changed in 59…60…to the cellulose nitrate greenish guard with full shielding

[@brazilgrass]

So on the 57 we get to hear only the treble pickup. Next to the sixty-something and all you get to hear is it's NECK PU? Otherwise, great video.

[@ix-Xafra]

Astute observation. That also peeked my interest

[@user-yo3fl7ol8w]

Please do the tele one!

[@beninbar9669]

What is the little riff he is playing on the '57 strat? It's on the tip of my tongue but I can't figure it out.

[@teunputker]

Ben Inbar Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley.

[@raceface_m2579]

That 54 ash is the best sounding. I agree with everyone; This video was rushed and he only got to play one pickup from each of the guitars, which didn’t showcase the guitars and their tones specific to their years.

[@rorycunningham5457]

And in 68 came the best strat ever made.Big headstock and F tuners Hendrix!

[@Tonetwisters]

Most of us old-timers hated that big head stock.

[@danieljaymeshansel5086]

YESSS! You played Dylan at the end!! You cannot play a 65 strat and not play some Dylan 🤘

[@DavidMorisset]

Wow something weird about seeing those Fenders naked